Casement window operating means



Janfls, 1938. CAMPBELL 2,106,081

CASEMENT WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Filed Oct. 27, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z. 6 6 INVENTOR. Byfl A/iy W A TTORNE Y.

Jan. 18, 1938. H, E, AMRBELL 2,106,081

CASEMENT WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Filed 06"). 2'7, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MyW.

A, j l I BY 1 I L 1 L ,1,, ATTO EY.

Jan. as, 1938. H, E, CAMPBELL 2,106,081

CASEMENT WINDOW OFERATINGMEANS Filed Oct. 27, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet s 1 r I r 4 f 4 INVENTOR.

, Jan. 18, 1938. CAMPBELL 2,106,081

CASEMENT WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Filed Oct. 27, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY I I ATTOR EY.

Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNlTE STATS PATENT OFFICE CASEMENT WINDOW OPERATING MEANS Application October 27, 1934, Serial No. 750,274

1 Claim.

The general object of the present invention is to provide improved means for adjusting a casement window into and maintaining it in different positions. .Means heretofore in practical use for such purpose are open to certain practical objections, although casement windows have long been known and are now in extensive use, and have been in recent years, particularly since the construction of such windows with metallic sash or frame and casing parts has become commercial practice.

The most usual and satisfactory arrangement heretofore employed for holding a casement window in different open positions comprises an adjustable connection between the window casing and hinged window frame members consisting of a hook pivotally connected to one of said members, usually, the casing member, and adapted to engage in one or another of differently located eyes or hook openings with which the other mem her is provided. Such an adjustable connection between the window and casing member is open to the general objections that it is unsightly, obstructs space which preferably should be unobstructed, makes the adjustment of the window a more complicated and diflicult operation than is desirable, and subjects the user to undesirable exposure to the elements in effecting window adjustments. particularly when it becomes necessary to close the window on the breaking of a storm. Such adjustable connection between the window and casing members moreover ordinarily permits the adjustment of the window only into a comparatively few different predetermined open positions, and permits of a certain amount of lost motion, resulting in vibration and noise, when the partially open window is subjected to wind gusts.

Specific objects'of the present invention are to provide casement window operating means which are simple, eiTective and relatively inexpensive to construct, and which avoid all of the above mentioned objections to the use of the hook connection ordinarily employed heretofore. The improved window operating means is further characterized by the fact that its use is not interfered with by, and does not preclude or interfere with the use of desirable screen and auxiliary storm window arrangements.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claim annexed to and forming .a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a casement window construction as seen from its inner side;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of the window shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as seen from its outer side;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the window shown in Fig. 3, as seen from the inner side;

Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a partial section taken similarly to Fig. 4, and illustrating a hinge spring arrangement different from that shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a partial horizontal section taken on. the line 99 of Fig. 3, illustrating the use of a screen;

Fig. 10 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 9 illustrating the use of an inner hinged storm window arrangement;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a portion of the window illustrated in Fig. 10, as seen from the inner side;

Fig. 12 is an elevation of a casement window, as seen from its inner side which includes a modified form of window operating means; and

Fig. 13 is a partial section on the line I3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate the use of the present invention in a double casement window construction which in its general arrangement is of the conventional type and comprises a metallic window casing including main side members I main top and bottom members 2 and 3, respectively, an intermediate horizontal frame member 4, and an intermediate vertical member 5 midway between the side members I and extending between the bottom member 3 and the intermediate member 4. Mounted in the window, casing between the top member 2 and the intermediate member 4 are stationary window panes 6. The portion of each side member I between the bottom and intermediate members 3 and 4,

sash comprising a metallic rectangular frame 1, glass supporting metal bars 8, and glass window panes 9. Each of the two casement window sashes, one at each side of the frame member 5, is hinged at its side remote from said frame member to the window casing. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each casement window is provided with one hinge connection at or adjacent its top, and another at or adjacent its bottom, each hinge connection comprising a metal hinge part or bracket I9 welded or otherwise secured to the window frame part I, and a metal hinge part or bracket 1! welded or otherwise secured to the adjacent portion of the window casing. The upper hinge connection includes a hinge pintle l2, and the lower hinge connection includes a hinge pintle l3 in axial alignment with the pintle I2. Each pintle is surrounded by a tubular part it comprising a collar serving as a washer interposed between and spacing apart the corresponding hinge parts In and II.

I 'As' shown each metallic window frame part I is of Z-bar cross section, comprising a main web portion l5 extending transversely to the plane of the pane 9 and having inner and outer flanges l6 and I6 parallel to said plane. The portion of thewindow casing at the margin of the window opening is of similar cross section comprising aweb portion ii, an inner flange l8 projecting'inwardly-of the window opening and an outer flange or flat portion l8 extending away from the window opening. In the closed position of the'wi'ndow, its inner flange l6 overlaps and abuts against the window casing flange l8 and the outer window flange l6 overlaps and abuts against the flange or flat portion l8 of the window casing, and the window casing web portion I1 is then separated by a joint space from the window frame web [5. As shown, and. as is usual in the type of window illustrated, the casement windows open outwardly, and the hinge pintles are displaced several inches outwardly from the plane of the window casing flanges l8.

For the purposes of the present invention means 'areprovided for subjecting each of the casement 'windows to a spring action tending to move the window from its closed position into its wide open position and opposing its movement in the opposite direction. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the described spring action results from the anchorage of the lower hinge pintle [3 in the corresponding window casing hinge bracket l l, and the connection of the pintle 13 to the lower end of a coaxial torsion bar or spring 20, which has its upper end held against rotation about its own axis relative to the upper hinge part l0 carried by the frame I of the casement window. As shown, the lower pintle is anchored in the corresponding stationary bracket II by means of lugs ll carried by the bracket and welded to or bent into gripping engagement with the enlarged lower end or head of the pintle 13. The spring member 26 has secured to its lower end a sleeve or-enlarged coupling part 2| telescopically receivingtheinner end of the pintle I3 and secured t'o'the latter by a cotter pin 22. Secured to the upper end of the spring member is a coupling member 23 telescopically receiving and secured to the pintle l2 by a second cotter pin 22. As shown in'Figs. 3 and 4, the upper end of the spring member 20 is normally held against rotation about its own axis relative to the upper hinge part ill, and may be secured in different adjustments; angularly about-said axis, according to the tension-of the spring member 20'desired,'by means of a screw 24 threaded into the upper hinge part Ill and having a body portion immediately below the part 10, and received in one or another of peripheral notches 25 formed in a circumferential collar portion of the part 23 formed at the upper end of the latter. The tension of the spring 29 thus depends upon which of the notches 25 receives the screw 24. The tension and length of the spring 2! should be such that the spring will hold the easement window in its wide open position firmly enough to prevent objectionable movement of the window as a result of wind pressure and will not oppose objectionably large resistance to the movement of the window into its fully closed position.

To move the window in the closing direction and to hold the window in its closed position or in any open or partially open position into which it may be adjusted, I make use of a flexible resilient connection to the frame I of the casement window, and gripping or holding provisions at the inner side of the window casing adapted to hold said connection in any longitudinal adjustment thereof required to accommodate the desired extent of window opening.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the operating connection comprises a chain 26 running over a pulley 21 journalled in a bracket part 28 secured to the vertical member 5 of the window casing. As shown in Fig. 7, the bracket 28 may also provide a support for one end of a window shade roller 29. Advantageously and as shown, the bracket part 28 is of yoke form with the pulley 21 located between the uprising legs of the yoke. The connecting portion of the yoke below the pulley is formed with an open ended slot or. notch 30 and immediately adjacent side portions 30' of the bracket 28 are flared or spread apart to guide the chain 26 into the notch 30.

The latter is adapted to receive a longitudinal portion of a link of the chain 26, with the notch edges in engagement with a transverse portion of the immediately subjacent link. The chain 26 may thus be securely held in position for different degrees of window openings according to the particular chain link received in the notch 30. In the preferred construction shown in Fig. 6, the upper horizontal portion of the chain 26 passes through an opening 3| in the adjacent portion of the window casing flange l8.

Advantageously the bracket 28 comprises a front bar or guard portion 30 extending between the flared side portions 30', and immediately above the notch 30 and spaced relatively to the latter to limit the horizontal movement of the adjacent portion of the chain toward and away from the bottom of the notch to a range but slightly in excess of that required for the easy adjustment of the chain into and out of operative engagement with the notch edges. The bar or guard portion 30" eliminates need for any special care on the part of the operator to see that the chain is properly entered in the notch in securing the window in any desired adjustment.

In accordance with the present invention each chain 26 is resiliently connected to the corresponding casement window. As shown in Fig. 6, the resilient connection comprises a horizontal bolt or sliding bar 32 and a helical spring 33. The bar 32 passes loosely through the joint between the adjacent window and casing web portions [5 and I1, and passes through and fitsclosely in an opening formed for the purpose in the acl-- jacent portionof the outer flange I 6 of the corresponding window frame member I. The helical spring 33 surrounds the external portion of the bar 32 and bears at one end against the window frame flange I6 and at the other end against an abutment carried by the bar 32. Asv shown the abutment is formed by a cup shaped part 34 screwed onto the outer threaded end of the bar 32 and held in place by a lock nut 35. v

A resilient connection between the flexible element or operating member 26 and the casement window operated by the element gives important practical advantages. For one thing it permits the casement window to be secured in its closed position with the flanges I6 and I6 in snug engagement with the window casing flanges I8 and I8, without requiring a close adjustment of the length of the chain portion between the window and the chain link then in engagement with the under side of the bracket 28'at the lower edges of its notch 30. Moreover, with the window in a wide or partially open position a wind gust strong enough to produce a slight closing movement of the window will not cause the chain to slacken, as on such movement the spring 33 will expand as required to prevent the chain 26 from becoming slack. Such a slackening of the chain, if permitted, would be followed by a retightening of the chain as the tension of the spring overcame the effect of the wind pressure, and such alternate chain slackening and tightening effects would subject the chain to undue stresses and would tend to produce objectionable noise and shock or vibration. For its intended service, the spring 33 need not be objectionably long or large, but should be stiff enough so that it will not be fully compressed and lose its resiliency under a tension somewhat in excess of that due to the spring 20 when the latter is under its maximum tension.

In lieu of the long torsion bar spring 20 shown in Fig. 4, I may provide one or both of the hinge connections for each casement window with a helical spring surrounding the corresponding hinge pintle as shown in Fig. 8, wherein a helical spring 35 surrounding the upper hinge pintle I2 has one end 31 passing through and anchored in a corresponding opening in the hinge bracket I I, and has its other end 38 passing through and anchored in a cup shaped member 39 which is pinned on the lower end of the pintle I2 and is provided with peripheral notches 40, one or another of which, according to the tension of the spring 36 desired, receives the body of a screw 24 as the latter is shown in Figs. 4 and 7 as received in the notches of the coupling part 23.

While the previously described window operating means effectively secure the casement window with which they are associated in its closed position, additional security mayv be had by providing the window with any usual or suitable form of locking means for fastening the window in its closed position. Such locking means may comprise pivoted window clamping members 4| conventionally indicated in Fig. 1 as mounted on the intermediate frame member I of the double window casing therein shown.

As previously indicated, the use of the improved window operating means does not preclude or interfere with the use of ordinary window screen and storm window provisions. Thus as shown in Fig. 9, a screen 42 having a metal rim or frame portion 43 of conventional form may be attached to the inner side of the window casing at the margin of each window opening therein by means of clamping parts 44 threaded or pivotally mounted on studs 45 secured to and projecting inwardly from the window casing. Similarly at times when it may be desired to make use of a storm window extending across each window opening, the latter may be secured in place by the clamping parts 44 employed at'other times to secure a screen in place. Advantageously in some cases, however, a storm window 46 for, and located at the inner side of each window opening is hinged at one side to the window casing side frame part I adjacent the window opening, and has its other side detachably secured to the window casing by the corresponding clamping parts 44. Advantageously each hinge connection between the storm window and'the window casing may comprise a helical spring 41 surrounding the hinge pintle 48, as shown in Fig. 11, with one end 49 of the spring secured to the storm window and with the other end 50 of the spring secured to the hinge part 5| attached to the window casing, the spring being arranged to normally hold the window in its closed position In the modified arrangement shown in Figs, 12 and 13, the operating chain 26 is shown as connected to the casement window frame "I exactly as in the construction previously described except that the chain instead of being connected to the top of the window frame is connected to the free side of the latter about midway between its top and bottom. in Figs. 12 and 13 the chain passes through an opening 52 in the portion of the window casing flange I8 directly in front of the bar 32 when the window is in its closed position, and through a chain securing and guiding member 53 which may be identical with the chain securing and guiding member 28, previously described. As shown, however, the member 53 is simpler and more compact than the member 28, and comprises a box like portion in front of the opening 3| and open at its side adjacent the casing and formed in its front side with a key hole shaped slot 54. One or another of the links of the chain 26 may have its longitudinal portion received and held in the narrow lower portion of the slot 54 to secure the window in any desired adjustment as one or another chain link is received and held in the notch of the member 28 previously described. Preferably the parts are so proportioned that the upper end of the narrow lower portion of the key hole slot 54 is about at the level of the axis of the bar 32 so that the'free end of the chain must be moved slightly above the level of said axis to move the chain out of the narrow lower portion of the slot 54 into the enlarged upper portion of that slot to permit longitudinal movement of the chain through the slot.

While the members 28 and 53 are interchangeably usable in so far as their co-action with the chain 25 is concerned, in practice the member 28 is preferably used when located at a level above that at which the ordinary operator canconveniently move the free end of the chain above the level of the bar 32, as will ordinarily be the case when the operating member is connected to the top of the window as in the construction first described. With the operating member connected midway between the top and bottom of the window as shown in Fig. 12, ordinarily the operator can conveniently move the free end of the chain 26 upward above the level of the bar 32 and in such case the member 5| may well be used in. preference to the member 28.

The connection of the operating means to the free edge of the window at a level approximately midway between the top and bottom of the window as shown in Fig. 12, is especially advantageous when no separate window locking device 41 is employed, as it reduces the leverage with which a wind pressure or other force acting on the window in the opening direction can oppose the pull of the operating member 26 tending against opening movement. When the window is provided with similar upper and lower spring hinges, such for example as those shown in Fig. '7, the connection of the operating member to the central portion of the free side of the window as illustrated in Fig. 12, tends to balance the window opening torques of the two hinge springs and eliminates any tendency of the spring hinge action to prevent the free edge of the window from engaging the casing as snugly at the bottom of the window as at its top. This is especially important because of the resilience due to the spring 33 of the connection between the flexible operating member 26 and the window frame, which is a characteristic of the present invention.

7 While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the formof the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claim and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A casement window structure comprising a metallic windowcasing having a web portion extending parallel to the axis of and surrounding a window opening in said casing, and an inner flange portion at the inner edge of said web extending inwardly of the window opening and an outer flange portion at the outer edge of said web extending away from the window opening, a window hinged to said casing to swing outwardly from a position in which it closes said opening and comprising a metallic frame including a web portion which is parallel to and spaced away from the first mentioned web portion and inner and outer flange portions which overlap the said inner and outer flange portions of the casing in the closedposition of the window, means subjecting the window to a yielding opening force, a bar extending movably through the outer flange of the window frame and having its inner end within the space between the casing and window frame webs in the closed position of the window and guided into said space by said webs as the window is moved into its closed position, a spring at the outer side of the window acting on said bar and tending to move the latter outwardly of the said flange through which it extends, said inner window casing flange having an opening in register with said bar when the window is in its closed position, and a flexible window closing element extending through the last mentioned opening and connected to the inner end of the bar.

HARRY E. CAMPBELL. 

